Silversea Luxury Cruises A SASEBO

Explore the splendid beauty and wartime past of Nagasaki during this scenic, full-day sightseeing excursion.

Peace Memorial Park

On August 9, 1945, at 11.02am an atomic bomb exploded. The fierce blast wind, heat rays reaching several thousand degrees and deadly radiation generated by the explosion crushed burned and killed everything in sight and reduced the entire area to a barrel field of rubble. About one-third of Nagasaki City was destroyed. Peace Memorial Park is home to a beautiful memorial fountain, and statues donated from countries around the world leading to the 30-foot-high (9.7-metre-high) Statue of Peace.

Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum

Next, walk to the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum. The museum chronicles the events leading up to the bombing, and several well -designed exhibits against nuclear proliferation. It also offers a look at what Nagasaki was like just before the explosion, photographs taken in the city immediately after the atomic blast and artefacts that survived the explosion. A visit is also made to the Atomic Bomb Hypocenter, or 'Ground Zero'. A monument marks the center of the atomic blast that levelled the city.

Enjoy a Japanese style lunch before proceeding to the Dejima Museum.

Dejima Museum

Dejima was a Portuguese and subsequently a Dutch trading post at Nagasaki from 1634 to 1854.

It was also the location for trade with the Chinese at the time, and thus the only place designated for foreign trade and exchange during the historical Japanese Edo period. Dejima was a small fan shaped artificial island in the bay of Nagasaki covering an area of 120m x 75m (390ft x 250ft) and was built in 1634 to house Portuguese traders and separate them from Japanese society by digging a canal through a small peninsula. The Dutch were moved to Dejima in 1641 and during most of the Edo period the islands were the single place of direct trade between Japan and the outside world.

In 1922, the "Dejima Dutch Trading Post" was designated a Japanese National Historic site.

Following your visit, return to the pier.

Explore the history and landmarks of scenic Hirado Island during this panoramic, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Tabira Park

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 50-minute drive to Tabira Park. Upon arrival, take in splendid panoramic views of the Hirado Bridge. This bridge, which links Hirado Island to the Tabira district, was completed in 1977. The truss suspension design has a total length of approximately 2,149 feet (about 665 meters), with a main span of approximately 1,527 feet (about 465.4 meters) and a width of approximately 35 feet (about 10.7 meters). It is suspended approximately 98 feet (about 30 meters) above sea level. After a photo stop here, re-board your coach and drive to the Dutch Trading Post.

Dutch Trading Post and St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church

The Dutch Trading Post was set up in Hirado in 1609 as the base of operations of the Dutch East India Company in Japan. The building seen today is a reconstruction of a warehouse which was originally constructed here in 1639. It is faithful to the original design, and exhibits the facility's original Dutch architecture of interlocking stone blocks supported by large, exposed wooden beams. The structure is capped by a Japanese-style tile roof, just like the original. From here, head to the St. Francis Xavier Memorial Church. During a guided tour of the church's modern, artistically designed interior, visit the first-floor museum. See Christian paintings, statues, medallions, clothing, and other religious items, as well as old maps depicting the development of Christianity in Japan and showing the route of Xavier's travels.

Hirado Castle

Following your visit, re-board your coach and proceed to the Hirado Castle. The Hirado Castle was built in 1707 by the daimyo Matsuura Takashi. The donjon was built on top of a small, rounded mountain. The castle supposedly had a structure heavily influenced by the Yamaga-ryu, whose school of war strategy was highly regarded. It fell into disrepair after government by the Samurai class ended in the latter-half of the 19th century. The present donjon was reconstructed in 1962. The beautiful, three-tiered, five-storied donjon was built as if overlooking the ocean, and a large amount of information relating to the castle is exhibited inside. Following your guided castle tour, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 65-minutes drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking for approximately one mile (about 1.6 kilometres), at times over uneven surfaces and slopes, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and 150 steps at the Hirado Castle. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight, comfortable clothing, flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. Guests must remove their shoes before entering the Hirado Castle. Japanese yen is required for any purchases: guests are advised to exchange money at the airport prior the cruise. The tour sequence may vary.

Experience the splendid coastal beauty of Sasebo and its surrounds during this memorable, half-day sightseeing excursion via land and sea.

Sasebo and Yumihari Observatory

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to the Yumihara Observatory. Upon arrival, take a guided walking tour, and enjoy breath-taking panoramic views of Kujukushima Island, Sasebo Port and the townscape.

Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort

Next, re-board your coach for the drive to the Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort. Located approximately 15.5 miles (about 25 kilometres) north of the port of Sasebo, the Kujukushima Pearl Sea Resort is surrounded by an archipelago of 208 large and small islands, only four of which are inhabited. Upon arrival, embark a boat for an approximately 50-minute cruise. Along the way, pass by 21 of the surrounding islands. Following your cruise, disembark the boat, re-board your coach and head to the Saikai Bridge.

Saikai Bridge

The Saikai Bridge was completed 1955. The first arched bridge in the Orient, it connects the Nishisonogi Peninsula and Sasebo City. The Inoura Strait, which flows beneath the bridge, ranks as one of the three fastest-flowing currents in Japan. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 40-minute drive back to the pier.

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking for approximately one mile (about 1.6 kilometres), at times over uneven and gravel surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and embark/disembark the boat, and 20 steps at the Yumihari Observatory. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes and sun protection are recommended. . The Kujukushima cruise is not exclusive to Silversea guests. Japanese yen is required for any purchases: guests are advised to exchange money at the airport prior the cruise. The tour sequence may vary.

Saikai Bridge (photo stop)

The Saikai Bridge (photo stop) is an arch bridge spanning Hario Strait. When it was built in 1955, it was the world's third largest bridge, and the largest in Asia. You should not miss one of the three greatest rapid tides of Japanese waters and its many whirlpools in Hario Strait.

Umegae Sake Brewery

This brewery has been operating since the Edo period, more than a hundred years ago. Nowadays, the Masters maintain the traditional way of making sake. They use exactly the right combination of water and rice to ensure that the fermentation takes place at the right temperature and for the required duration. Enjoy learning about the process and the care that is taken in making excellent sake. After visiting the traditional brewery, you will also have the opportunity to try some samples or buy the Japanese Sake and spirits made here. A true Japanese experience.

Tenkai-ho Observation Platform

Tenkai-ho is the most popular observation platform in Sasebo with 180 degree panoramic views. (Weather permitting). You will be able to look out over all of the Kujukushima Islands.

Following your visit, return to the pier.